Spectacle de la Nature: Or, Nature Display'd Being Discourses On such Particulars of Natural History As were thought most proper To Excite the Curiosity, and Form the Minds of Youth. Translated from the original French, by Mr. Humphreys.

PLUCHE, NOEL ANTOINE.

Published by London R Franklin -49, 1743

About this Item

7 volumes, 12mo, with 206 plates as called for, most folding, including 7 frontispieces, bound in contemporary speckled calf, sides with double gilt fillet borders, spines gilt ruled with raised bands and red labels, small chip to head of one spine, minor worming to leather at foot of one spine, a few of the plates slightly misfolded, but generally a very sound clean and tight set in original state, SIXTH EDITION OF VOLUMES ONE TO FOUR, SECOND EDITION OF VOLUMES FIVE TO SEVEN. Humphrey's translation of Pluche's contemporaneous French text had commenced publication in 1733, completed in four volumes by about 1737, with three additional volumes to complete the work during the 1740's. As originally envisaged a work in one single volume covering aspects of natural history it expanded into a far more comprehensive coverage of practical as well academic and vocational subjects not covered by the usual English text-books of the time. Like other French educationalists of the period Pluche represented the more advanced French approach to teaching and learning, practical or otherwise and the vast range of plates within the work make it very much a children's encyclopaedia of the period. The relative cheapness of the work allowed its wide dissemination amongst different classes of society, each volume being utilized as the separate entity that it was. Consequently, complete sets in original bindings are scarce, expecially in the earlier printings such as this. With the contemporary bookplates and title page signatures of Charles Mackenzie, one of the eminent Clan Mackenzie with motto 'Luceo non Uro'.

Seller Inventory # 30531

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Spectacle de la Nature: Or, Nature Display'd Being Discourses On such Particulars of Natural History As were thought most proper To Excite the Curiosity, and Form the Minds of Youth. Translated from the original French, by Mr. Humphreys.
• Publisher: London R Franklin -49
• Publication Date: 1743
• Binding: Hardcover
• Seller catalogs:
  • eb75